In brief
The CMA CGM container ship, registered in Malta, is the first vessel owned by a major Western European company to traverse the Strait of Hormuz since conflict erupted last month. Despite claims of safe passage for non-hostile vessels by Iran, many feared risks due to several ship attacks in the ongoing conflict. Tracking data confirmed the ship's passage near Oman, while oil prices continue to surge amid shipping disruptions.
A French-owned ship has passed through the Strait of Hormuz, more than a month after the US-Israeli war with Iran effectively closed the vital transport route. The Malta-flagged container ship owned by French company CMA CGM crossed the Strait, media organisation BFM TV - which is owned by the shipping company - confirmed on Friday. CMA CGM declined to comment.This is the first ship owned by a major Western European firm to navigate the strait since the conflict began, according to shipping analysts at Kpler. While Iran has indicated that 'non-hostile vessels' can utilize the waterway, the ongoing conflict - during which several vessels have been attacked - has significantly disrupted normal shipping activities.Tracking data revealed that the French-owned ship passed close to the coast of Oman, on the opposite side of the waterway from Iran, although the cargo it carried remains unknown. Additionally, a Japanese oil tanker also took the same route through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday.Reports indicated that several other vessels were navigating unusually close to the coast of Oman, as tensions linger in the region. Former US President Donald Trump stated America could potentially reopen the strait, stating on Truth Social, 'With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE.'The Strait of Hormuz is critical, accounting for approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquid natural gas traffic, yet upon conflict's onset in late February, shipping activities were suspended with about 200 vessels remaining stranded in surrounding waters. The slowdown led to skyrocketing global oil prices, contributing to rising fuel costs and inflation concerns worldwide.Despite the chaos, about 100 vessels have managed to traverse the strait recently, although overall traffic has diminished by about 95% compared to pre-conflict levels.
